Attorney on clout: In Chicago, no call required

CHICAGO — Lawyers for relatives of a man killed in 2004 after being punched by a nephew of then-Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley says there's no doubt clout played a role in what they described as a shoddy, half-hearted initial investigation.

The attorneys spoke after a special prosecutor's report released Tuesday concluded there's no existing evidence Daley sought to influence the investigation. David Koschman died days after being struck by Daley nephew Richard J. Vanecko.

But Locke Bowman told reporters strong circumstantial evidence indicates clout was exerted. When a member of the powerful Daley family is involved, he said, police knew to protect him. He added, "In this city ... you don't need a phone call."

Another of the attorneys, Flint Taylor, added the case is an example of "supreme clout."